Water, sewer, solid waste fees set for Prairie City

New fees for water, sewer and solid waste for Prairie City have passed the first reading to be updated at the start of the fiscal year. The ordinances were approved by the city council during its April 14 meeting.

For water service charges, the first 1,500 gallons used per month come at a rate of $16.74, the minimum bill. The next 8,500 are at a rate of $9.83 per 1,000 gallons, followed by the next 30,000 gallons used at $8.12 per 1,000 gallons per month. All use more than 40,000 is at $3.35 per 1,000 gallons for the month.

It was asked if the council would like to waive the second and third readings of the ordinance change, but the council declined to do so.

“I know we haven’t heard anything yet but it is always controversial so I’d like to wait a month,” councilwoman Ann McDonald said.

Sewer service changes follow the same rate usage scale with the first 1,500 gallons used per month at $26.21, also the minimum bill. From there, the next 8,500 gallons are charged at $15.23 per 1,000 gallons, next 30,000 gallons at $12.64 per 1,000 gallons and all those more than 40,000 gallons is set at $5.23 per 1,000 gallons.

The solid waste collection fees including solid waste and recyclable material collection and disposal service, the 35-gallon container is $11.46 per month, 64-gallon container at $16.45 per month and 96-gallon container at $21.44 per month. Additional bags set out for collection must have a solid waste sticker attached and not exceed 30 gallons in capacity or 50 pounds in weight. The fee for each solid waste sticker is $1.00. The recycling fee was also set for $3.89 per month.

The council did approve waiving the second and third reading of the solid waste collection fee for the city.

“This is faster we have to meet the charges that are coming from Waste Management,” McDonald said.

The second and third readings for water and sewer will be held at future meetings for the city council.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com